Independent participatory media for Iran

The Fars governor said on Tuesday March 10 that he will forward a report to the Supreme Council of National Security about the attack on Ali Motahari, an Iranian MP who was assaulted and prevented from giving a lecture scheduled at Shiraz University, adding that he will not allow such events to ever take place in Shiraz.

Ali Motahari was attacked by a large group of assailants upon his arrival at Shiraz Airport on Monday March 9. They attacked him with pepper spray, rotten tomatoes and bricks, injuring his face.

Motahari was finally forced to return to Tehran without giving his lecture.

Fars Governor Mohammad Ahamdi also called on security and judiciary officials to investigate the attack on Motahari and “prosecute the perpetrators of the attack”.

However, Motahari has spoken out against Fars provincial authorities and said that the audience at the university was falsely told that he had returned to Tehran and the lecture was cancelled.

The governor of Shiraz has been heavily criticized and told to step down if unable to handle public order.

Motahari is an outspoken MP who on several occasions has called for an end to the house arrest of MirHosein Mousavi, Zahra Rahnavard and Mehdi Karroubi. He is also very vocal about the government’s need to counter corruption.